Pertussis (Whooping Cough)

Signs and symptoms

Symptoms of pertussis can vary for people based on their age and if they've been vaccinated or not. 

It can cause violent coughing fits called "paroxysms." These fits are sudden, intense and produce the “whoop” sound. It occurs when a person tries to catch their breath after a coughing fit. 

The cough can last for weeks or even months. This is because the toxin released by the bacteria damages the respiratory lining. It can take time to heal. 

Someone with pertussis is no longer contagious when:

• Three weeks have passed since their cough began; or
• After they have completed five days of antibiotics. This is the case even if their cough is still present. 

Babies younger than 1 year of age (infants) are at greatest risk for getting pertussis. Infants are also more likely to have severe complications.  

Sometimes babies with whooping cough don’t cough at all.  Instead, they may have apnea (a pause in breathing) which can cause them to turn blue. Infants who struggle to breathe should be hospitalized. 

How it spreads

The pertussis bacteria spread easily from person to person through the air. When a person with pertussis sneezes or coughs, they release small particles with the bacteria in them. Other people can then breathe in the bacteria. 

These bacteria can spread when people spend a lot of time together or share breathing space.

Treatment

Antibiotics are used to treat pertussis. Early treatment can make the infection less serious and shorten the time someone is sick. Please see a health care provider as soon as possible if you think you may have pertussis.